How Electronic Health Records Improve Health Care Quality
Electronic health records are the digital version of the data of the person that can be shared and accessed by the person and the provider. EHR has helped in transforming the ways in which the medical services are provided in an effective manner.
To deliver the better results one needs better information and that is what EHR does. There is always an access to the detailed and accurate data that helps the physicians in making the important decisions for the treatment of the patient.
By digitizing patient records, Electronic Health Records offer significant advantages, leading to improvements in overall healthcare quality.
Improved health care quality for providers
- Quick Access to the Patient’s records
EHR provides all the necessary information to the providers in a detailed and accurate way. They can also get the records of the patients in the remote locations. The quick access to the patient’s health report allows the healthcare providers to offer more effective treatment to the patients.
This enhanced accessibility leads to faster and more accurate decision-making. Doctors, nurses, and specialists can quickly access a patient’s full medical history, lab results, medications, allergies, and previous treatments. This streamlined access helps reduce wait times, avoid unnecessary tests, and ensure that critical information is available when needed.
- Clinical Alerts and Reminders
A physician takes care of lots of patients, so there are chances of mistakes or a treatment getting missed. But an EHR system gives the physician reminders and alerts about the tests and required changes in the treatment of the patient.
For example, when prescribing medication, an EHR system can alert the doctor if the prescribed drug could interact negatively with another medication the patient is taking or if the patient has a known allergy to a certain drug. This real-time alert system reduces the risk of adverse drug events, one of the leading causes of injury in healthcare settings.
- Legible and Complete Documentation
The paperwork does have its limitations in the medical field. However, EHR overcomes all those limitations and comes as a better alternative. The data stored in the EHR system is more accurate and legible. All the important data of the person remains with the providers that help them in coming with new medications and treatment for the patient.
EHRs also help reduce errors related to illegible handwriting, which can often occur with paper-based prescriptions and notes. By standardizing the process and making it digital, EHRs ensure that information is clear, consistent, and easier to interpret, improving overall treatment accuracy.
- Interfaces with labs and other providers
The best thing about these electronic health records is that these can be shared in the real time. This real-time transfer of the data helps medical lab operators to send the reports of the patient to the physician within the desired time span. This doubles the speed of the treatment as both patient and doctor can communicate online, and the patient can get the advice of the doctor from anywhere.
Real-time sharing of information ensures that every provider has the most up-to-date and comprehensive understanding of a patient’s health status. For example, a patient with chronic conditions may see multiple doctors, each managing a different aspect of their care. EHRs allow these doctors to communicate with each other more effectively, reducing the risk of treatment errors and improving overall care quality.
- More reliable prescribing
The prescriptions are safer and more reliable as the information provided to the physician is accurate and discloses all that he wants to know.
Moreover, EHRs contribute to better tracking of a patient’s medical history, including vaccination records, lab results, and previous procedures. This comprehensive history helps healthcare providers make more accurate prescribing and avoid unnecessary or duplicate tests, which can be both costly and risky for patients.
Better services to the Patients
- Less Paperwork
Electronic records are not only beneficial in reducing the paperwork for the clinics but it works equally good for the patients as well. As all the data is stored in the patient portal, therefore there is no need to keep all the prescription papers and tests’ reports.
The ability to access their own health records via patient portals empowers them to take an active role in managing their health. This convenience improves patient satisfaction and promotes adherence to treatment plans, contributing to better health outcomes.
- E-prescriptions
These are the electronic form of the prescriptions made by the doctors. Patients need not worry about the illegible handwriting of the doctors as e-prescriptions will be automatically sent to the pharmacy from where one can collect their required medicines.
E-prescribing offers convenience by allowing prescriptions to be sent directly to their preferred pharmacy, reducing wait times and preventing potential delays in getting necessary medications. It also helps prevent medication errors caused by manual prescription entry, contributing to safer, more efficient healthcare delivery.
- Electronic Referrals
A patient need not carry all the documents in case he has been referred to another specialist. There is a tool called electronic referral that will be generated for the patient. This referral will display all the required information what the specialists wanted to know.
For example, when a patient is referred from a primary care doctor to a specialist, their medical records can be sent electronically, ensuring continuity of care and reducing the chances of missed diagnoses or conflicting treatment plans.
- Patient Portals
These are the portals containing all the information of the patient. These are helpful in online interaction for providers.
The integration of EHRs with telemedicine platforms enhances the quality of remote care. As telemedicine becomes more popular, especially in rural and underserved areas, the ability to access patient records remotely is crucial for providing high-quality care.
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